The 2026 FIFA World Cup will make history as the first edition to feature 48 participating teams, introducing an extra knockout round compared to the previous seven 32-team tournaments: the Round of 32.

The new stage will follow the group phase and precede the traditional Round of 16. A total of 32 teams will advance, including the top two finishers from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams.

Here's a look at the teams that have secured their place in the knockout stage as qualification is confirmed.

32 teams have qualified.

First to qualify

Mexico became the first team to secure its place in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup. The team led by Javier Aguirre reached six points after defeating South Africa and the Republic of Korea, results that place them at the top of Group A with authority and without needing to wait for the final matchday.

The mathematical reason for their classification

With three goals in favor and none against, the Tri showed defensive solidity and attacking efficiency. The only team that could still catch up with it in points was the Republic of Korea, which has three units and needs to beat South Africa to reach six. However, even in that scenario, the difference in results leaves Mexico as the assured leader. Czechia and South Africa, with just one point each, have no chance of fighting for the top spot.

In the final match, Mexico will face Czechia in a game that will serve more to adjust statistics than to define positions. The Republic of Korea, for its part, will play for qualification against South Africa. No matter what happens, the North American team has already secured its place in the knockout stage and is waiting for an opponent for its first match in the round of 32.

The Mexican advance marks an encouraging start for the host, who bears the pressure of playing at home and responding with good results immediately. The inaugural victory at the Estadio Azteca and the subsequent triumph consolidated the confidence of a team that needed to pass the first round smoothly.

United States

The team led by Mauricio Pochettino, after securing a 2-0 victory against Australia, earned their ticket to the round of 16 and awaits an opponent that has yet to be determined. They already have 6 points in their favor, which mathematically assures them of first place, also by the tiebreaker criterion.

Germany

The German team became the third to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament after winning an exciting match against the Ivory Coast team. Their first place is secured for mathematical reasons, and thanks to the tiebreaker criteria introduced by FIFA in this World Cup, no team can take their spot.

Argentina

The team led by Lionel Scaloni and on the field by Lionel Messi was decisive and secured qualification to the round of 16 after a 2-0 victory against Austria. With a very important performance from Messi, who has already scored 5 goals in two matches, he stands out as one of the most remarkable individual performances.

France

The French team, led by Kylian Mbappé, under Deschamps, managed to secure a spot in the knockout stage after the match against Senegal, a match that was delayed due to thunderstorms; however, they managed to establish themselves as one of the contenders.

Norway

Haaland's team managed to be one of the surprises of this tournament by winning against Senegal and Iraq, securing their place in the next phase of the top international competition for national teams.

Colombia

The team led by Néstor Lorenzo secured their place in the round of 16 after defeating and holding off DR Congo in a tense match that ultimately paid off and allowed them to join the countries advancing to the next stage. With six points, three from this victory and three from the previous one against Uzbekistan, it positions them as the group leader, for now.

South Africa

South Africa achieved a historic qualification in Group A thanks to their unexpected victory against the Republic of Korea. With 4 points, they managed to advance from the group stage to the round of 16.

Switzerland

The Swiss team established itself as one of the most balanced in the group, and with that, it managed to stay at the top after defeating Canada in the final match. With seven points, Switzerland topped Group B.

Canada

The Canadian team surprised with their intensity and tactical discipline. Despite the significant absences, such as Ismaël Koné's injury, they managed to achieve key results that allowed them to advance. Due to their recent defeat against Switzerland, they occupy second place in the group and, after surpassing Bosnia and Herzegovina in goal difference, they are not relegated to third place.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina fought until the end in a very competitive group. Although it struggled against the Swiss solidity, it managed to bounce back with outstanding performances and secured the necessary points to stay in the race. He will still wait for the other matches to know if he will be part of the best third-placed teams.

Brazil

Brazil reaffirmed its status as a world power with a solid group stage. The team showed offensive variations and a reliable defense, prevailing in key moments. Despite having a difficult start, with 7 points they finish first on goal difference

Morocco

The African revelation once again proved that its success is not a coincidence. With dynamic football and players who make a difference in attack, Morocco finished second in Group C, only on goal difference, making it clear that they can compete with anyone.

Ivory Coast

The African side secured its place in the Round of 32 after defeating Ecuador and Curaçao, results that earned them second place in Group E. Their next challenge comes on June 30 in Dallas, where they will face the runners-up from Group I.

Ecuador

The South American team booked its place in the knockout stage thanks to a dramatic victory over Germany, combined with a draw against Curaçao. The four-point haul was enough to see them advance as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.

Netherlands

Coached by Ronald Koeman, the Dutch finished atop Group F after closing the group stage with a 3-1 win over Tunisia. Earlier results included a draw against Japan and a victory over Sweden, setting up a Round of 32 clash with Morocco.

Japan

The Japanese national team advanced to the next round after finishing the group stage unbeaten. A 1-1 draw against Sweden in their final match gave them five points and secured second place in Group F.

Sweden

The European side earned its place in the knockout stage thanks to Anthony Elanga's crucial goal in the draw against Japan. That strike proved enough for Sweden to qualify as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.

Australia

The Socceroos only needed a draw against Paraguay to lock up second place in Group D, and a scoreless draw at Bahía Stadium in San Francisco was enough to send them through. They will now face the runners-up from Group G in the Round of 32.

Spain

La Roja, one of the tournament favorites, booked its place in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the 20th team to qualify after topping Group H with seven points. Spain drew 0-0 with Cape Verde, cruised to a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia at Atlanta Stadium, and edged Uruguay 1-0 at Guadalajara Stadium.

Spain will face the Group J runner-up in the Round of 32 on July 2 at Los Angeles Stadium. That opponent could be Austria, Algeria or Jordan.

Cabo Verde

In one of the biggest surprises of the tournament, the Blue Sharks punched their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 as the 21st team to qualify after finishing second in Group H with three points.

Remarkably, Cape Verde advanced without winning a single match, but also without losing one. The Blue Sharks drew 0-0 with Spain, 2-2 with Uruguay and 0-0 with Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, Miami and Houston, respectively. Uruguay's disappointing campaign also worked in their favor, as La Celeste managed just two points.

Cape Verde will now head to Dallas, where Vozinha and company will take on reigning world champion Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, on July 3 for a place in the Round of 16.

Paraguay

Although Group D finalized its two automatic qualifiers on Wednesday, June 25, Paraguay had to wait another day before officially advancing, as Uruguay's early exit confirmed La Albirroja's place in the knockout stage.

With four points, Los Guaraníes claimed the 22nd spot in the Round of 32 as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams. Paraguay earned a 1-0 win over Turkey before playing out a scoreless draw against Australia at San Francisco Stadium.

A heavy 4-1 defeat to co-host United States left Paraguay relying on results elsewhere. Their reward is a Round of 32 showdown with Germany on Monday, June 29, in Boston—a daunting challenge.

Egypt

Egypt also punched its ticket to the Round of 32 thanks to Uruguay's elimination. With no third-placed team from Group H able to surpass them, the Pharaohs secured a place in the knockout stage for the first time in FIFA World Cup history, after being eliminated in the group stage at Russia 2018.

The Africans had already positioned themselves as the tournament's 23rd qualifier with four points, earned through a 1-1 draw against Belgium at Seattle Stadium and a 3-1 victory over New Zealand at BC Place in Vancouver, with one group match still to play.

Egypt then wrapped up the group stage with a 1-1 draw against Iran in Seattle, finishing second in Group G with five points. The Pharaohs will face Group D runner-up Australia in the Round of 32 on July 3 in Dallas.

Portugal

Another beneficiary of Uruguay’s elimination was Portugal, who, with four points and one match still to play, have already secured their place in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the 24th qualified team.

After a 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo and a commanding 5-0 win over Uzbekistan at Houston Stadium, Cristiano Ronaldo and company now turn their attention to securing top spot in Group K against Colombia in Miami.

England

England also benefited from Uruguay’s results to secure their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as ticket number 25, finishing with four points in the group stage.

Thomas Tuchel’s side topped Group L with seven points in New Jersey/New York after a narrow 1–0 win over Panama.

They had previously drawn 0–0 with Ghana in Boston and opened their campaign with a thrilling 4–2 victory over Luka Modrić’s Croatia in Dallas.

Ghana

The Black Stars were among the final teams to secure their place in the Round of 16, booking qualification as ticket number 26 after finishing as one of the best third-placed teams with four points.

The African side earned their place in the knockout stage with a 1–0 win over Panama in Toronto, Canada, and a 0–0 draw against England in Boston. They closed out the group stage with a 2–1 defeat to Croatia in Philadelphia.

Belgium

The Red Devils bounced back in style, sealing the 27th qualification spot and top place in Group G at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with five points after a dominant 5-1 win over New Zealand at BC Place in Vancouver on the final matchday.

They had previously drawn 0-0 with Iran in Los Angeles and 1-1 with Egypt in Seattle during the group stage.

Senegal

The conclusion of Group G confirmed Senegal’s place in the Round of 32 as the 28th qualified team, having earlier done their part with a commanding 5-0 win over Iraq in Toronto to secure their status as the fifth-best third-placed side, although their opponent is still to be determined.

Previously, the Teranga Lions fell 3-2 to Norway and 3-1 to France in New Jersey/New York, finishing the group stage with just three points. However, their +2 goal difference proved crucial in keeping them alive and avoiding elimination.

Croatia

Luka Modrić and company have booked their place in the Round of 16 as Group L runners-up, securing ticket number 29 after a dramatic 2–1 win over Ghana in Philadelphia.

The 2018 World Cup runners-up endured a tough start, falling 4–2 to England in Dallas, before bouncing back with a 1–0 win over Panama in Toronto, Canada, and sealing qualification with today’s victory in the final group match.

Democratic Republic of Congo

The Leopards, clinching the 30th ticket, secured their place in the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a historic 3–1 win over Uzbekistan in Atlanta — their first-ever World Cup victory.

With four points, the African side finished as the best third-placed team in the tournament. Their 1–1 draw with Portugal in Houston and the narrow 1–0 defeat to Colombia in Guadalajara proved decisive in a breakthrough campaign.

It marks the first time in World Cup history that a CAF representative has advanced beyond the group stage under the modern format. Back in 1978, when competing as Zaire, they finished bottom of their group.

Austria

The “Wonder Team” became the 31st nation to reach the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

After a dramatic 3–3 draw with Algeria in Kansas City, Ralf Rangnick’s side advanced as runners-up in Group J with four points — built on that controversial draw and a 3–1 win over Jordan in San Francisco. Their only defeat came against Argentina, 2–0 in Dallas.

Returning to the world stage after 28 years (since France 1998), this marks Austria’s fifth World Cup appearance and their first knockout qualification since Spain 1982. Ironically, their next opponent is Spain.

Algeria

The Desert Foxes became the final team to book their place in the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026, taking the 32nd and last available spot.

With four points in Group J, Algeria advanced as one of the best third-placed teams and will face Switzerland in Vancouver on July 2.

Their group stage featured a 2–1 win over Jordan in San Francisco, a thrilling 3–3 draw with Austria, and a 3–0 defeat in Kansas City.

It is only the second time in five World Cup appearances that Algeria have progressed past the group stage. Their previous success came in Brazil 2014, where they reached the Round of 16 before being eliminated by Germany.

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